Monthly Archives - July 2014

With Everett Golson back at QB and fourth year head coach Brian Kelly fielding his most talented team at Notre Dame yet, what should prevent you from betting on the Irish in 2014?

Well, the college football schedule gods stuck the Fighting Irish with what most analysts regard as the nation’s toughest schedule. The Irish play home games against Michigan, Stanford, North Carolina, Northwestern and Louisville. They travel to Florida State, Arizona State and USC and play neutral-site games against Purdue, Syracuse and Navy. This is Kelly’s best team since arriving in South Bend, but don’t expect them to be a playoff contender this year.

“Every year our expectations are to compete for a championship,” head coach Brian Kelly said at a football camp he hosted at St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. “With the playoff format now it’s ‘How do you get to the playoffs?”

“We don’t play for a conference championship, you know,” he added. “We won our bowl game last year, won nine games, and many people see that as a disappointing year. I think the expectations are to get back there. We’ve got a young team, but a talented team, and we’re

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Future Betting Odds

Week 1 Odds: Rice vs Notre Dame -25

To Win The 2014/2015 College Football Championship: +4500

Regular Season Wins: Over/Under 7.5.

How Will Notre Dame’s Offense Performs in 2014?

If you like betting on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish then this is what you’ve been waiting for out of a Brian Kelly offense. The offense hasn’t lived up to expectations since Kelly took over, analysts, fans and oddsmakers alike were expecting a high-flying spectacle.

As bad as things might have gotten during Charlie Weis’ tenure, his 2009 team averaged more than 450 yards and 30 points per game — none of Kelly’s offenses to date have hit those numbers. I fully expect this team to blow those numbers out of the water, and if it doesn’t that means something went very, very wrong.

Last season, the offensive line allowed just eight sacks and gets three good starters back on the field this year. The backfield is loaded with weapons, and the 2014 receiving corps will be able to fill the shoes of leading receiver T.J. Jones who jumped to the NFL and is with the Detroit Lions. Tommy Rees really was good last year, but Everett Golson is the right quarterback for what Kelly wants to do. If you bet on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, expect the offense to explode on offense every time they get the ball..

Golson led the team to the BCS championship game two short years ago, but he missed all of last year after exercising "poor academic judgment." He was credited as one of the leaders and catalysts in the great run of 2012, the 6-0, 200-pounder has extremely confidence, a good enough arm, and great feet, completing 59% of his passes two years ago for 2,405 yards and 12 touchdowns with six picks, while running for 298 yards and two scores.

“Getting him back to school — he obviously played in the national championship for us — getting him back obviously is a boost for our team,” said Kelly. “He brings the athleticism to the position that I like at that position especially for the type of offense that I want to run.”

Running backs Tarean Folston, Greg Bryant and Cam McDaniel will establish a running game by committee, which should be good enough to help the team win some games.

How Will Notre Dame’s Defense Perform in 2014?

After finishing 31st in the nation in total defense and doing a great job against the pass, the defense needs a little bit of tweaking. Notre Dame replaced ex-defensive coordinator Bob Diaco with Brian VanGorder, the former Auburn defensive coordinator and New York Jet linebacker coach. He was brought in to attack opposing offenses from all sides and to utilize his veteran secondary in more press coverage in hopes of creating more pressure on opposing defensive pockets.

Does he have the talent up front to do what he’d like? He’ll play around with the schemes, utilizing more of a 4-3 — but he needs linemen to help replace Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt. Sheldon Day and Jarron Jones are promising tackles, but former super-recruit Ishaq Williams needs to come into his own at one end.

2014 Notre Dame Schedule

Saturday, August 30 vs Rice 3:30 PM ET NBC

Saturday, September 6 vs Michigan 7:30 PM ET NBC

Saturday, September 13 vs Purdue* 7:30 PM ET NBC

Saturday, September 27 vs Syracuse* TBD

Saturday, October 4 vs Stanford 3:30 PM ET NBC

Saturday, October 11 vs North Carolina 3:30 PM ET

Saturday, October 18 @ Florida State TBD

Saturday, November 1 @ Navy 8:00 PM ET CBS

Saturday, November 8 @ Arizona State TBD

Saturday, November 15 vs Northwestern 3:30 PM ET NBC

Saturday, November 22 vs Louisville 3:30 PM ET NBC

Saturday, November 29 @ USC TBD

Notre Dame Final Thoughts

This team will be fun to watch. If they can get through the tougher games with a couple of lucky wins this team could be playing in the inaugural college football champion playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12 SU, 6-10 ATS, 8-8 O/U) will enter the 2014 NFL regular season headed in a new direction thanks to the addition of respected head coach Lovie Smith.

How much they’ll improve on the pitiful 4-12 record they compiled in 2013 remains to be seen, but one thing’s for certain…the circus the Buccaneers had become under former head coach Greg Schiano, is now over.

Let’s take a look at Tampa Bay ‘s chances of cashing in on their Super Bowl 49 Futures Odds, before looking at their division prospects and Week 1 regular season opener.

With the start of the annual preseason period set to get underway this coming week, let’s get started.

Betting On the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Win the 2014 Super Bowl

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +5000

Analysis: I like Lovie Smith a lot and I think he’s going to bring about a very positive change for the previously dysfunctional Buccaneers, but the fact of the matter is that this team is a long way from competing for a Super Bowl championship.

The Bucs finished the 2013 season by dropping their last three regular season games while getting outscored 98-44 over the stretch. Again however, I’m expecting the Bucs to be a lot more competitive and a lot better on the defensive side of the ball because of Smith’s hiring.

Tampa Bay ranked dead last (32nd) in passing last season (176.3 ypg), but I expect their passing attack to improve a lot after Chicago foolishly let veteran quarterback Josh McCown leave town even after he far outplayed incumbent starter Jay Cutler last season in just five starts.

The Bucs also ranked a dismal 22nd in rushing, though they were a middle-of-the-pack kind of team on defense, finishing 17th against the pass and 15th against the run.

Save your money if you think the Bucs could cash in as one of those ‘super’ long shots. I know the +5000 return looks great, but the Bucs are quite ready to contend for a Super Bowl just yet.

Betting On the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Win the NFC South

Carolina Panthers +100

New Orleans Saints +110

Atlanta Falcons +275

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +650

Analysis: The Bucs went 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS in their six division games last season and they could have an even tougher way to go as I expect two of their three division rivals to be even better this coming season, with only Carolina taking a slight step backwards.

The Buccaneers are just 3-7 SU and 4-6 ATS in their last 10 home games, but with a defense that was already pretty solid – and a very good, but underrated quarterback in McCown, I believe Tampa Bay could at least challenge to stay out of fourth place in the competitive NFC South.

No matter how much I like the new-look Bucs as they get set for the 2014 NFL season, I just don’t see them leap-frogging the Panthers or Saints to take the division crown in 2014.

Even though I think the Bucs are likely to finish last in this division this coming season, I will admit that a quick turnaround and return to respectability could very well take place this coming season. If you can get a wager on what place Tampa Bay will finish in, then a wager for third place – or even second – could pay off.

My Pick:

Betting On the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Win In Week One

Carolina -1.5 at Tampa Bay

Over/Under 39.5

Analysis: I know the Buccaneers are just 3-7 SU and 4-6 ATS in their last 10 home games against Carolina and that the Panthers won the NFC South last season with a stellar 12-4 record, but I’m going to say the Bucs get the outright home win to start their 2014 NFL regular season off on the right foot while getting an early ATS cover in the process.

The Bucs have won five of their last 10 games as an underdog of two points or less while racking up a solid 5-4-1 ATS mark over the span. Tampa Bay is also 2-0-1 ATS in their last three games as a pup of two points or less.

The Bucs have gone 4-6 SU and ATS in their last 10 games against the Panthers no matter where they play and are a solid 2-2 SU and ATS against the Panthers over their last four meetings, winning both regular season meetings in 2012.

I like the Buccaneers to get the big win here, fueled by their home crowd, a defense I expect to be absolutely ravenous this season and some improved play at quarterback.

The Buccaneers drafted speedy wideout Mike Evans with the seventh overall pick in the NFL Draft to help improve their passing attack and added another player that will see plenty of playing time in 2014 and could potentially start in second round pick Austin Seferian-Jenkins.

My Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1.5 Points

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Tips

Analysis: The Bucs have covered the spread in three of their last five home games in the month of September while also going 6-4 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite of two points or less.

Tampa Bay is 5-5 SU and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games against the AFC North and that’s good news seeing as how they will play that division this coming season.

I’m expecting Tampa Bay to get involved in some low-scoring affairs against the Panthers, Ravens, Browns, Bears and Bengals and I believe they could win on the road this coming season at Cleveland and Washington while dropping some dates along the way against the Ravens, Bengals and Packers.

In the end, I like the Bucs to challenge for a possible eight-win season, though it looks a bit more like six wins from where I’m sitting.

The New Orleans Saints (11-5 SU, 8-8 ATS, 6-10 O/U) are coming off a fine 11-5 season in 2013 and will look to really challenge the likes of conference powerhouses Seattle and San Francisco when they get their 2014 NFL regular season started in earnest in just over a month.

This look at the Saints and their season-long chances to do some real damage in the NFC will give you the insight you’ll need in order to maximize your gridiron gambling dollars when betting on or against Drew Brees and his band of merry Saints teammates.

With that said – and the 2014 NFL preseason period getting underway this coming week – let’s get started.

Betting On The New Orleans Saints To Win the 2014 Super Bowl

New Orleans Saints +1400

If you’re thinking about placing a wager on the Saints to cash in on their value-packed NFL Super Bowl 49 Futures odds, then I say go right ahead!

New Orleans is one of just a handful of teams that I believe could potentially challenge Seattle – and San Francisco – for conference supremacy in the competitive NFC this coming season.

The fact of the matter is that when you have arguably the game’s best quarterback on your side, like the saints do with Drew Brees, then you’re almost always going to have a chance to reach the postseason – and cause some damage.

Still, the Saints do have some areas they need to address if they’re going to take a step forward this coming season.

While New Orleans finished the 2013 season ranked a stellar second in passing (307.4 ypg), the Saints were a one-dimensional team on offense as they ranked a pitiful 25th against the run.

The exact same was true for the Saints on defense as they finished second in the league against the pass (194.1 ypg), but couldn’t stop the run to save their collective lives, finishing 19th in rush defense.

So, what did New Orleans do to address their issues?

Well they went out and got Brees another new toy in speedy rookie wideout Brandin Cooks with the 20th overall pick in the draft, though they did draft a cornerback with their second round pick while adding aging veteran defensive back Champ Bailey in free agency.

Head coach Sean Payton said the team will look to get Cooks involved in their offense in a big way this coming season.

"He’s explosive. He’s made some plays," Payton said. "There will be a handful of things we have to do to get him touches whether it is through the passing game, whether it is through handoffs or bubble screens. He has some versatility."

Brees reiterated his head coach’s sentiments, saying, "He (Cooks) absorbs it very quickly and goes out and applies it," Brees told the New Orleans Times-Picayune .

Still, it should be interesting to see how much the Saints can improve their rushing attack and run defense this coming season, particularly seeing as how both, Frisco and Seattle have powerful rushing attacks.

Nevertheless, the Saints are undoubtedly worth a wager here, particularly seeing as how they are offering a whopping +1400 return.

Betting On The New Orleans Saints To Win the NFC South

Carolina Panthers +100

New Orleans Saints +110

Atlanta Falcons +275

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +650

The Saints went 5-1 SU and 3-3 ATS in their six division games last season, losing only to Carolina17-13 on Dec. 22 in a nail-biter. Still, the Saints failed to win the NFC South as Carolina went 12-4 last season.

This season however, I like the Saints to not only challenge for the division crown, but to actually win it outright, albeit very narrowly.

New Orleans will have to deal with a Panthers team that looks very real after last season’s stellar campaign and no doubt, the Atlanta Falcons should be a lot better this season after their injury-riddled campaign of a year ago. Heck, even the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be a lot better this coming season thanks to the addition of defensive-minded veteran head coach Lovie Smith.

Still, I like the Saints to win the division this year mostly because they’ve got Brees and should be a bit better defensively, though that remains to be seen. The Saints scored more points than any team in the division last season but Carolina allowed the fewest points.

This should end up being a two-team race at some point, but there’s no doubt that both, Atlanta and Tampa Bay could throw a wrench into someone’s division-winning plans.

My Pick: New Orleans to win NFC South

Betting On The New Orleans Saints To Win In Week One

New Orleans at Atlanta -1.5

Over/Under 52

Analysis: The Saints beat the Falcons in both regular season meetings last season, winning 23-17 at home to cash in as a 3.5-point favorite and 17- 13 in Atlanta though they failed to cover the spread as a 7.5-point road favorite.

This time around however, I like the Falcons to get the huge season-opening win against the Saints, mostly because these NFC South division rivals generally split their two regular season games and I expect the Falcons to really come out with a great effort after dropping both of last season’s affairs.

Despite the fact they were horrible defensively last season, the Falcons can generally put points on the board with the best teams in the league. While the Saints have won four of their last five road games against the falcons, New Orleans is just 2-3 ATS over the stretch and I believe the Falcons are coming to get this win in the worst way. Besides, the Saints are just 3-7 SU and ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog of two points or less.

Also, these two rivals have played Over their O/U Totals in three straight contests and six of the last eight meetings overall with seven of those meetings featuring Total Odds of at least 50 points.

My Pick: Atlanta Falcons -1.5 Points

New Orleans Saints Betting Tips

The Saints are a great team to back as a big favorite, with drew Brees and company going 8-2 SU and 6-3-1 ATS over their L/10 games as a fave.

However, you might want to use some caution when wagering on New Orleans is on the road, seeing as how they’re just 4-6 SU and a discouraging 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games and just 2-6 ATS in their L/8.

I’m expecting the Saints to get involved in some high-scoring shootouts against Atlanta, Detroit and Green Bay while possibly routing Cleveland, Minnesota and Dallas.

New Orleans could get involved in a few low-scoring affairs as well, when they battle Carolina, San Francisco and take to the field for three of their matchups against their AFC North counterparts.